23 Oct 2025, 10:00Watford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Statement regarding the outcome of an independent investigation into non-recent sexual abuse
Date: 23 October 2025
In late 2021, historic and serious safeguarding allegations regarding Dr Donald Kelly, a former member of Chiswick Church, were brought to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Director for the SEC. The Board of Trustees commissioned an independent organisation to undertake an investigation into these allegations, report their findings and advise on lessons to be learned and recommendations for safeguarding practices and procedures going forward. That investigation was comprehensive and resulted in the investigators making several findings and recommendations.
Given the highly sensitive nature of the information provided to the investigators and in accordance with our obligations under data privacy law, we are not able to publish the investigators’ findings in full. However, we have prepared a summary of the findings and recommendations. That summary is published here.
The SEC and Chiswick Church recognise the appalling harm that Dr Kelly caused and extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to all who have been affected by his abusive conduct. We are deeply sorry for the trauma that the survivors suffered at Dr Kelly’s hands and for the hurt and pain they have experienced as a result. The Seventh-day Adventist Church more widely also wishes to join us in expressing its sorrow for what has happened to all the victims of Dr Kelly’s abuse and to extend its sympathy to all those who experienced his reprehensible and unacceptable conduct. As a denomination, the Seventh-day Adventist Church unequivocally condemns such conduct, which stands in stark opposition to the values and principles it upholds.
The SEC would also like to offer our sincere thanks to all the survivors and other participants for their courage in coming forward to speak with the investigators. These harrowing and traumatic events occurred many years ago and, whilst the SEC has had in place robust safeguarding measures in more recent times, it is and will continue to reflect carefully on the lessons to be learned from these incidents.
We can confirm that we accept the investigators’ findings in full and either have or are in the process of putting into action their recommendations as they apply to the SEC. We are also discussing the issues the report raises with other Seventh-day entities. We are working to ensure that we continue to have the most robust policies, processes and training going forward and that we continue to improve as a listening and learning organisation. As a result, and in addition to the recommendations made, among other things:
Over the last few years, we have delivered safeguarding training to over 4,600 members who hold posts within local churches across the SEC community. In addition, we have facilitated specialised training for Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL’s) in local SEC churches and have delivered several bespoke safeguarding awareness training sessions for children and young people.
We have worked with other denominational organisations and have invested in market leading software that will record safeguarding concerns and aid enhanced information sharing between such denominational entities.
As an organisation, we have reviewed and constantly update our Safeguarding Policies to meet best practice and provide ongoing protection of the vulnerable among us.
We are in the process of screening and appointing Safeguarding Area Coordinators to serve as a point of contact for local Church DSL’s.
We will be embarking on a series of Safeguarding Audits for churches in January 2026. These Audits will measure compliance against ten standards, including governance; culture; safeguarding policy; safer recruitment; training and awareness; working and communicating safely including pastoral care; management of employees and volunteers; partnership working; responding to concerns and supporting survivors; and working with those who pose a risk.
We provide regular training for all our pastoral/ministerial workforce in the SEC. Since 2024 all newly recruited ministers must complete the safeguarding training prior to taking up their appointments. Additionally, Newbold College of Higher Education, where ministers are trained, incorporates safeguarding in their ‘ethics in counselling youth’ module.
The SDA Church now has clear protocols for the movement of its employees and members by processing requests for speakers through the various levels of the church. Additionally for all our core children’s activities like pathfinder programmes, those who work in this area, including parents, must be DBS cleared and must have completed the safeguarding training.
We continue to strive to adhere to and uphold the principles set out in our denomination’s Statement, which states:
“Seventh-day Adventists affirm the dignity and worth of each human being and decry all forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and family violence.
We recognise the global extent of this problem and the serious, long-term effects upon the lives of all involved. We believe that Christians must respond to abuse and family violence both within the church and in the community. We take seriously reports of abuse and violence ... We believe that to remain indifferent and unresponsive is to condone, perpetuate, and potentially extend such behaviour.”
We remain very keen to ensure that anyone who may be affected by these issues is afforded full and appropriate avenues of support. Members can speak to their local church’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will have been briefed on this matter. The following services are also available:
Cornerstone Counselling Services (CCS) (a Seventh-day Adventist counselling service): Listening Line (9:30am – 10:00pm): 0330 133 2495
Thirtyone:eight via listeningservice@thirtyoneeight.org (9:00am – 5:00pm Mon-Fri)
Safeguarding Lead for SEC SDA Judy Clements OBE on safe@secadventist.org.uk
Premier Lifeline (9:00am – 5:00 pm): 0300 111 0101
New Kapporet (3:00pm – 11:00pm): 0808 801 0333
Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
The Survivors Trust: 01788 550554 / 0808 801 0818
Date: 23 October 2025
In late 2021, historic and serious safeguarding allegations regarding Dr Donald Kelly, a former member of Chiswick Church, were brought to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Director for the SEC. The Board of Trustees commissioned an independent organisation to undertake an investigation into these allegations, report their findings and advise on lessons to be learned and recommendations for safeguarding practices and procedures going forward. That investigation was comprehensive and resulted in the investigators making several findings and recommendations.
Given the highly sensitive nature of the information provided to the investigators and in accordance with our obligations under data privacy law, we are not able to publish the investigators’ findings in full. However, we have prepared a summary of the findings and recommendations. That summary is published here.
The SEC and Chiswick Church recognise the appalling harm that Dr Kelly caused and extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to all who have been affected by his abusive conduct. We are deeply sorry for the trauma that the survivors suffered at Dr Kelly’s hands and for the hurt and pain they have experienced as a result. The Seventh-day Adventist Church more widely also wishes to join us in expressing its sorrow for what has happened to all the victims of Dr Kelly’s abuse and to extend its sympathy to all those who experienced his reprehensible and unacceptable conduct. As a denomination, the Seventh-day Adventist Church unequivocally condemns such conduct, which stands in stark opposition to the values and principles it upholds.
The SEC would also like to offer our sincere thanks to all the survivors and other participants for their courage in coming forward to speak with the investigators. These harrowing and traumatic events occurred many years ago and, whilst the SEC has had in place robust safeguarding measures in more recent times, it is and will continue to reflect carefully on the lessons to be learned from these incidents.
We can confirm that we accept the investigators’ findings in full and either have or are in the process of putting into action their recommendations as they apply to the SEC. We are also discussing the issues the report raises with other Seventh-day entities. We are working to ensure that we continue to have the most robust policies, processes and training going forward and that we continue to improve as a listening and learning organisation. As a result, and in addition to the recommendations made, among other things:
Over the last few years, we have delivered safeguarding training to over 4,600 members who hold posts within local churches across the SEC community. In addition, we have facilitated specialised training for Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL’s) in local SEC churches and have delivered several bespoke safeguarding awareness training sessions for children and young people.
We have worked with other denominational organisations and have invested in market leading software that will record safeguarding concerns and aid enhanced information sharing between such denominational entities.
As an organisation, we have reviewed and constantly update our Safeguarding Policies to meet best practice and provide ongoing protection of the vulnerable among us.
We are in the process of screening and appointing Safeguarding Area Coordinators to serve as a point of contact for local Church DSL’s.
We will be embarking on a series of Safeguarding Audits for churches in January 2026. These Audits will measure compliance against ten standards, including governance; culture; safeguarding policy; safer recruitment; training and awareness; working and communicating safely including pastoral care; management of employees and volunteers; partnership working; responding to concerns and supporting survivors; and working with those who pose a risk.
We provide regular training for all our pastoral/ministerial workforce in the SEC. Since 2024 all newly recruited ministers must complete the safeguarding training prior to taking up their appointments. Additionally, Newbold College of Higher Education, where ministers are trained, incorporates safeguarding in their ‘ethics in counselling youth’ module.
The SDA Church now has clear protocols for the movement of its employees and members by processing requests for speakers through the various levels of the church. Additionally for all our core children’s activities like pathfinder programmes, those who work in this area, including parents, must be DBS cleared and must have completed the safeguarding training.
We continue to strive to adhere to and uphold the principles set out in our denomination’s Statement, which states:
“Seventh-day Adventists affirm the dignity and worth of each human being and decry all forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and family violence.
We recognise the global extent of this problem and the serious, long-term effects upon the lives of all involved. We believe that Christians must respond to abuse and family violence both within the church and in the community. We take seriously reports of abuse and violence ... We believe that to remain indifferent and unresponsive is to condone, perpetuate, and potentially extend such behaviour.”
We remain very keen to ensure that anyone who may be affected by these issues is afforded full and appropriate avenues of support. Members can speak to their local church’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will have been briefed on this matter. The following services are also available:
Cornerstone Counselling Services (CCS) (a Seventh-day Adventist counselling service): Listening Line (9:30am – 10:00pm): 0330 133 2495
Thirtyone:eight via listeningservice@thirtyoneeight.org (9:00am – 5:00pm Mon-Fri)
Safeguarding Lead for SEC SDA Judy Clements OBE on safe@secadventist.org.uk
Premier Lifeline (9:00am – 5:00 pm): 0300 111 0101
New Kapporet (3:00pm – 11:00pm): 0808 801 0333
Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
The Survivors Trust: 01788 550554 / 0808 801 0818